July 17, 2017

Clionadh Cosmetics First Impressions & EOTD

Hello readers,
Today I have a new to me indie cosmetics brand to share with you. I was introduced to Toronto based Clionadh Cosmetics when I attended Indie Expo Canada. They were kind enough to give me a sample from their Aftershock highlighter collection. I also returned to throw my money at them and pick up some more irresistible shades. Let's take a look at what got added to my makeup collection.

Crystalline

Crystalline is a purple green shifting duochrome eyeshadow. This shade is part of their newly released Paleo Palette. The formula was excellent. I applied this over my regular Urban Decay Primer Potion and had no problem bringing out the green shimmer. No fancy glitter primers needed for this one.

Clionadh Cosmetics Crystalline over Urban Decay Primer Potion

Circuit

Circuit is an intense yellow gold. It can be built up to full coverage like in the swatch below or sheered out as a highlighter. No primer (not even my usual UDPP) required to bring out that metallic sheen! This shade is also eye safe so it can be also be used as eyeshadow.

Clionadh Cosmetics Circuit over bare skin

Current

Current is the second shade I tried from the Aftershock collection. This shade is a super shimmery blue leaning turquoise in a tranlucent base. Like Circuit it can be built up or sheered out. This one also applied really well over bare skin.

Clionadh Cosmetics Current over bare skin

Bellona

Bellona is a rich medium pink somewhere on the border of rose and peach. This shade from the Deity Series is sold as a blush but can also double as an eyeshadow. The finish is quite shimmery and can be built up like in the swatch below or blended out.

Clionadh Cosmetics Bellona over bare skin

Clionadh Medium

Clionadh's namesake blush+highlighter is available in three variations. I picked the one for medium skin tones which features a marble of rose gold, champagne and magenta shades. When blended all together you get a cool toned rose with pale golden shimmer.

Clionadh Cosmetics Clionadh Medium over bare skin

Dawn

Dawn is a limited edition highlighter featuring the four pearly iridescent shades. You can aim for one or two, or blend them all together. This gives such a soft yet glowy finish. I am really excited to play around with it some more.

Clionadh Cosmetics Dawn over bare skin

EOTD

Now to pull these shades together! For this look I used Crystalline over Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid and blended it up above the crease. I applied Current along my lower lash line. In my inner corner I layered Bellona over Circuit. Technically, only one of these is sold as an eyeshadow (though they all contain eye safe ingredients), but the results speak for themselves. I finished up the look with Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper, Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara and Benefit Goof Proof Brown Pencil in shade 06.

Conclusion

My first impression after playing around with these goodies is impressed. The payoff (even with no primer) is amazing. I didn't have to fight to bring out any of the duochromey shift or metallic finishes. I also love that lots of Clionadh's products are multitaskers. You can find Clionadh Cosmetics on